Topic: Just Can't Handle Hormone Therapy - Frustrated!!
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I swear whatever I try doing results in failure. My total testosterone (male) is 160 - horribly low. Free T is 50% of low normal range too.
I have been on Androgel 1.62% for 10 days now - 2 squirts per day. It started out OK, but now I can't handle it. I'm getting severe muscle pain, anxiety through the roof and blood pressure swings.
I had a panic attack this afternoon I think. My blood pressure hit 198/109, but my pulse was 80???? Everything started hurting so bad. Pain in every muscle in my body. Nauseated too.
This same thing happened when I tried Armour Thyroid a year ago. My TSH is not horrid, but in the 3.0-3.5 range. I know - it could be better. I tried the thyroid meds even at low dose and viola the same heart pounding / anxiety issue started.
What the hell is wrong with me? Everything I try to do which is supposed to help me doesn't. I'm getting irritated. When someone has a total testosterone that low, how could supplementation not help?
I have tried natural T cream before too - same issue.
I have had my adrenals tested endless time. AM blood readings are always mid-normal range. 24 hr urine Cortisol test has always been normal. Uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
You are probably just chemically sensitive. maybe you can try natural alternatives. Lugol's iodine is good for thyroid issues. I heard & read about some herbs for boosting testerone levels. Maybe you can look into it?
google - herbs to boost testosterone for men
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
When I had lyme and company, it made my ovaries stop producing estrogen and the other hormones. It shrunk my ovaries so much that each doctor I saw remarked on how small they were. Every sex hormone was low on me including testosterone.
Because of this, I was given the diagnosis of menopause. It was the menopause from hell.
I saw many gyns and took many different hormone replacements. Some worked and a few didn't. When I say some worked, that means that they helped me a little. I still wasn't normal by any means--no sex drive, etc. Sex didn't even compute with my body. It was very unusual. It didn't matter how high my testosterone level went using a testosterone creme. It went sky high, and yet it didn't matter.
So, all I can say is that lyme will do these things.
When I got to my good lyme doctor, he first treated me for lyme, then bart, then babs. I would say that after lyme and bart treatment (the first 2 months of treatment), I began to notice a change. It took a few months, but I gradually went back to being a normal person sexually over 5 months of good lyme treatment.
I came out of "menopause" and the ovaries began to function normally again. This was after at least 5 years of "menopause" and hormone replacement for menopause.
I could tell when I was back to normal, and it was wonderful.
So, I am hoping that if you can somehow get successful lyme treatment, all of your hormone problems will spontaneously resolve like mine did.
I don't know of any other disease that can attack in the sexual area like this. At your age, you certainly should have a lot more testosterone than 160. So, something has attacked your testes. Don't expect any doctor to understand this except a lyme doctor.
Why not try starting out very, very slowly with the Androgel--like start with half a squirt per day and see how you handle it. Let your body gradually get used to it and slowly raise up your testosterone.
Spend weeks at the half-squirt level.
I really think this all points to lyme disease. Just my opinion based on what lyme did to me.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
How was your testosterone tested?
I suggest having your adrenal function tested through saliva testing. I think it is more reliable than blood tests.
If your adrenals are off, it can affect thyroid supplementation.
Another possibility is that Armour is a T3/T4 med. Maybe you would do better with just a T4 or a T3 med and not a combination. I would feel horrific with a TSH of 3.0.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
Seekhelp, I am sorry you are going through such a tough time. I recently learned about hormone therapy with 'bio-identical hormones' that might be of interest to you.
I attended a presentation recently that included a speaker with a history of chronic fatigue, vertigo, and other debilitating symptoms related to thyroid problems. Her name is Jeanne Driscoll.
Jeanne suffered for years and saw countless doctors before a holistic gynecologist was able to help her. The MD ordered a complete hormone panel and later prescribed bio-identical hormones for her.
Within 2 weeks she was feeling remarkably better. She is totally cured of her chronic fatigue and other symptoms that went along with her thyroid illness.
Jeanne wants to share her information with others and has set up a spot on Facebook called "Searching for Stillness - Phantom Motion". If you do a search, you will find. If you post something about your problem, it is likely that she will try to provide some resources for you.
Let her know you heard about it from someone in your Lyme forum. I wish you the best.
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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I am a female and have used bio-identical testosterone for about 10 years. I've never had any trouble with it. Gives me energy and helps depression.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
Yes - I know that Seekhelp is a male. At the meeting I was at, there was a male on thyroid meds due to a thyroid problem he had and bio-identical hormones were discussed for his use! I was told they could help both men and women.
Jeanne Driscoll said that she was in the process of searching for a holistic endocrinologist (for men) in the Boston area, but I have a feeling she will help you find one in any part of the country, she is so motivated to help others.
I am glad that you have been helped with this Lymetoo. I am going to discuss all of this with my LLMD next visit.
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I just didn't want Seek to start looking for a GYN !
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
I have been using bio-identical hormones for a few years, and it has definitely helped. When I had testing done, every single hormone was significantly low.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I would be a little careful with hormonal therapy, whether via injections, creams etc. The problem with adding artificial testosterone (or any other hormone) is that the body thinks it needs to produce less, which in turn means higher need for supplementation - a vicious cycle. I've had very low total testosterone and had success increasing it (i.e. its production) from 250 to 600 with an herb called Tribulus (can buy it e.g. on iherb.com). The issue is that my "free" and "bioavailable" (i.e. the actually acting) testosterone levels are still extremely low which means a very high presence of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin). SHBG binds w/ Testosterone making it bound i.e. not "free". Based on my research, the best herb to lower SHBG is Nettle Root (also available on e.g. iherb.com). I literally just ordered it yesterday so I don't know its effects yet...
Posts: 8 | From NY | Registered: Mar 2012
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My husband has been seeing him for years and he is a great doctor. Well worth the trip to PA. People travel from all over for him. I think there may also be a doctor in Michigan but dont know his name. I also see him for female things.
He is like a LLMD and doesnt take insurance.
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Freakin' insane - I've been on Androgel treatment for almost two months now. Nearly any improvement whatsoever in my total Testosterone number. Got my labs back today. That's pretty scary it did nothing. I figured my total T number would be 500-600, not mid 200s.
My body must be messed up or something. I don't know how that's even possible. I'm inclined just to call T replacement therapy quits now. I feel no better at all from anything I try.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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At the meeting I was at, there was a male on thyroid meds due to a thyroid problem he had and bio-identical hormones were discussed for his use! I was told they could help both men and women. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I just didn't want Seek to start looking for a GYN ! 
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